Smut is taking the world of sex and romance by storm–but what actually is it? Smut is erotic fiction, fanfiction, or romance writing with explicit content. Although it has been around for a while, it is becoming increasingly popular (looking at you, BookTok). Arguably, it has become a primary source of sexual "education" for adolescents and young adults who may not have received comprehensive information about sex and sexuality from their grade school experience or home environments. Some individuals think it is inherently harmful and ruins relationships, but I would say it’s a tool like any other! It depends on how you use it.
I recently visited a romance and fantasy bookstore, and it got me thinking about what smut does well, and where we should approach it with some caution. Let's break it down.
What Smut Gets Right
Smut can be so freeing, especially because a large portion of its readership is women–the same women who are often taught to feel ashamed of their sexual desires and curiosity. Smut helps normalize desire, and that is genuinely empowering.
Here are some other things smut tends to do really well:
It's a low-stakes way to explore preferences. Looking to learn about new kinks, roleplays, or dynamics? Smut is a safe, no-pressure space to do exactly that with no real-world risk required. It’s a great way to explore!
It can model affirmative consent. When done well, the consent conversation in smut is just as compelling as the foreplay itself. It teaches readers that consent can be sexy and that it's not a mood killer, it's part of the experience.
It represents diverse bodies, sexualities, and relationship structures more than mainstream media often does. Smut frequently includes characters with disabilities, less commonly represented sexualities, and polyamorous relationships.
What Smut Gets Wrong (or Exaggerates)
Smut is fantastic, but that doesn't mean it's without its flaws. Like any media we consume, it's worth approaching with a little critical thinking and a grain of salt.
Unrealistic physical expectations. In the same way that porn can be unrealistic, smut can be too. Stamina, anatomy, pain versus pleasure can all be misleading in these books. Sometimes that position just doesn't work out the way the book makes it sound or your partner doesn’t last as long as your favorite dragon rider. Don't compare yourself or your experiences to fictional characters. If something you're reading is negatively affecting your sexual self-esteem, you don't need it!
Consent is a double-edged sword. Sometimes it's handled really well and woven seamlessly into the experience. Other times it's skipped entirely so as not to interrupt the fantasy–like a consensual non-consent scenario where the negotiation never actually happens on the page. That might work as a narrative device, but it is not a model for real life. Recognize the difference and don't pick up habits that don't belong outside of fiction.
Reinforcing gender scripts and power dynamics uncritically. Smut is often a for-sale product, which means it is frequently written to play into what sells (think the brooding bad boy, the damsel in distress, the "I can fix him" arc). These tropes can be fun to read, but be mindful of how they might shape your expectations of real people and real relationships, especially in the bedroom.
Smut as a Starting Point, Not a Rulebook
It's worth distinguishing not just between fantasy and reality, but between fantasy and desire. You can thoroughly enjoy reading about something and then realize you have no interest in doing it in real life–and that is completely valid! A fantasy can stay a fantasy.
So if something you read is just that–a fantasy–own it! Just make sure you're communicating clearly with your sexual partners when the conversation comes up. And when in doubt, check reliable sexual health sources. The author may be a brilliant writer, but that does not make them a sexual health expert.
Quick Tips for Consuming Smut More Critically
Notice how consent is handled: Is it modeled well, or glossed over? What is important to you when communicating about consent?
Check in with yourself: Does this feel exciting, or does it feel like pressure? It's supposed to be fun. You can put the book down at any time.
Know that not all smut is created equal. Seek out smut that reflects values you actually hold, and be honest with yourself about what's fantasy versus what you'd actually want.
Guess What? You Can Talk About It.
Here's the thing: many people are reading smut, and not nearly as many people are talking about it openly. Let's change that. Start sharing what you read, being honest about what it brings up, and having real conversations about sexual scripts, consent, fantasies, and expectations. There’s so much to learn!
And if something you read makes you think, Wait, is that ethical? How does that actually work? follow up on that curiosity! Seek out information from a qualified professional or look into programming from a certified sexual health educator (perhaps someone certified from the Sexual Health Alliance!) to keep building your sexual health literacy. The smut got you curious; let's make sure the knowledge catches up.
Want to become an in-demand sexual health professional? Learn more about becoming certified with SHA!
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Written by Jesse John, B.S.
Jesse is a clinical psychology doctoral student at Rowan University in New Jersey. Their research focuses on sexual decision-making, sexual violence, and relationship experiences. The author identifies as a Queer, neurodiverse, white, non-binary person, which informs the way they write and see the world!
